In a bid to ensure there is drinking water to all developed areas at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, officials are proposing to use an existing exploratory well as a new groundwater source to backup the water provided currently by Annie Springs.

The Annie Springs source provides water to Mazama Village, park headquarters at Munson Valley, and the Rim Village. "The water system is served by a single point of diversion from a sole surface water source at Annie Springs, which feeds Annie Creek," the park explains in its environmental assessment examining the park's potable water needs. "Annie Creek is a headwater tributary of the Wood River, which flows into Upper Klamath Lake via Agency Lake and is a major tributary of the Klamath River."

Crater Lake officials have been looking for a backup water source since 2013, "(T)o prevent a possible shut-down of the existing park water system or a park closure as concerns arose over an extended drought and a possible reduction in the water supply..."

In October of that year, an exploratory well was drilled "at the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail trailhead on the south side of Highway 62." The well produced 82 gallons per minute, and the water "meets EPA primary drinking water standards and is suitable for use within a public drinking water system without further treatment," the EA said.

To bring the exploratory well on line, the park would have to:

* Build a well house roughly 10 feet by 12.5 feet.

* Build a 3,175-foot-long trench for a waterline from the well along the existing and obliterated highway alignments to connect to the existing Mazama Tank fill line.

* Build a 3,770-foot-long common utility trench for conduit containing power and fiber-optic communication lines adjacent to the waterline trench. A fiber optic communication line in conduit will control well pump based on tank level inputs to Mazama Booster Station and read system parameters (pressure, flow) remotely from Mazama or Annie Springs booster stations.

* 13 pull boxes to connect lengths of power supply lines, each approximately 3 feet wide x 4 feet long x 3 feet deep (12 sf each).

* A 6-foot x 6-foot concrete transformer pad and vault.

* A 4 foot x 6 foot concrete pad for portable generator.

* 17 pull boxes to connect lengths of fiber optic communication lines, each approximately 3 feet wide x 4 feet long x 3 feet deep (12 sf each).

* A new valve vault, approximately 5 feet wide x 8 feet long x 6 feet deep (45 sf).

* The expansion of the PCT trailhead parking by approximately 3,300 square feet to accommodate the area lost to well house and to improve vehicle circulation and provide additional amenities.

* Replacement of existing 6-inch gate valve (1.5 sf) on the supply line to from Annie Spring to the booster stations under Annie Creek bridge, with (2) new 6-inch gate valves and (1) swing check valve (4 sf) prevent pushing water backward into the spring during well supply operations. The existing valves and piping are partially imbedded (50 percent) within the stream bed behind the wier impoundment. Replacement valves will likewise be submerged to protect from freezing, but visible to allow for operations, service and inspections.

Additional details can be found in the environmental assessment document. Public commet is being taken through April 3. You can find the documents, and leave your comments, at this site.